Stamp for punching checks



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. M. HOPKINS. STAMP FOR PUNGHING CHECKS, &c. No. 340,316. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. M. HOPKINS.

STAMP FOR PUNGHING CHECKS, 8w.

N0. 340,316. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

YE /masses. 0C .5% J9 (No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 3 J. M. HOPKINS. STAMP FOR PUNGEING CHECKS, &c.

No. 340,316. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

Nv PETERS. Fholml-Magrlpher, Wahington D. Q

(No Model.) 4 Sheefs-Sheet 4. J. M. HOPKINS.

STAMP FOR PUNOHING CHECKS, &o.

No. 340,316. Patented Apr. 20, 1886.

Nrre STATES tribe.

STAMP FOR PUNCHING CHECKS, 84.0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 340,316, dated April 20, 1886.

Application filed July 16, 1885. Serial No. 171,791. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES M. HOPKINS, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamps for Punching Checks, &c., for preventing the raising of them to a larger amount than that for which they are drawn; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in devices for preventing the raising of drafts, checks, and other similar papers to a larger amount than that for which they are drawn; and it consists in, first, the combination ofthe operating -levers, vertically moving rods, which have slotted arms or extensions formed upon them, and retracting-springs, with the crank-levers, which are connectedto'the sliding punch and die frames, the punch and die frames being placed in less than a half circle, and each frame being provided with both a punch and die; second, the combination of the operatinglevers, vertically-moving rods connected thereto, and having slotted arms or extensions formed upon them, retractingsprings, pivoted crank-levers, which have projections at their upper ends to pass through the slots in the extensions on the vertically-moving rods, and which are connected at their lower ends with the sliding punch and die frames, and the springs which are connected to these crank-levers for causing them to continue their movements after they have passed their centers; third, the combination of the operating-levers, the vertically-moving rods having arms or projections formed upon them, and which arms or extensions are provided with angular slots, springs for retracting the rods, pivoted crank-levers,which are connected to the arms or extensions at their upper ends, and to the sliding punch and dieframes at their lower ends, a mechanism which is operated by arms or vertically-moving rods, for the purpose of operating the punches and supporting the mechanism for feeding the checks, drafts, or paper along; fourth, the arrangement and combination of parts, which will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine by means of which checks, drafts, and other papers can have the amount in dollars and cents punched through them for the purpose of preventing them from being raised.

Figure l is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention. v Fig. 2 is aplan view of the operating parts with the cover removed. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of my machine, a portion of the frame being broken away, so as to show the feeding mechanism. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the same, a portion of the frame being broken away, so as to show the feeding mechanism. Fig. 5 is an end view, a portion of the frame being broken away, so as to show the feeding mechanism. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the center of 0 the machine. Fig. 7 is a detail. inverted view of the machine.

A represents the frame-work, of any desired shape, size, or construction that may be preferred. Pivoted upon the top of this framework are a number of levers, B, which have finger-plates 0 formed upon their outer free ends, and upon which plates are formed figures, letters, or characters of any kind. These levers are arranged in a line over the front edge of the machine, so as to be in the most convenient position for the operator. The rear ends of these levers B are provided with slots D, through which are passed the pivots E, which connect the levers with the verticallymoving rods F. These rods have simplya rising or falling movement in operating the machine, and after having been raised upward, by depressing the outer ends of the levers B they are thrown back into position again, as soon as they are left free to move, by the springs G, which are applied to their lower ends. Formed upon each one of these levers, just above the division-plate H, is an arm or extension, I, through which is formed the angular slot J; also secured to each rod F is an arm, K, which, as the rod is drawn upward to a sufficient height, strikes against the under side of the device which operates the punches. Secured upon the top of the division-plate H are a number of standards or supporting- Fig. 8 is an frames, L, and pivoted upon these frames are the crank-levers M. These levers at their upper ends are provided with pins or projections N, which pass through the slots J in the extensions 1 on the rods F, and at their lower ends they are connected to the sliding punch and die frames O,which are arranged radially upon the division-plate P, and in less than, a halfcirele. When any one-of the levers B is depressed at its outer end, the rod F is raised upward, and the slot J in the arm or extension I causes one of the levers M to turn upon its pivot Q until the projection or stud N on the lever M reaches the outer end of the horizontal portion ofthe slot J. In moving this pin orstud N from the inner to the outer end of the horizontal portion of the slot, thelower end of the lever M is made to force one of the sliding punch and die frames forward into position. During the upward movement of the rod F, while the pin or stud N of the lever M is moving from the inner to the outer end of the horizontal portion of the slot, the sliding punch and dieframe O is being moved forward into position; but when the pin or stud N reaches the outer end of the horizontal portion of slot Jall forward motion of the sliding frame 0 at oncestops, and then the rod Fcontinues to move upward, but without affecting the sliding punch and die frame, for the pin or stud N has then reached the vertical portion of the slot J, and the rod moves upward without having any further effect upon the lever M. The arm K, before the pin or stud N reaches the bottom of the horizontal portion of the slot, strikes against the under side of the arm R of the shaft S and forces the arm upward. As soon as the pressure upon the lever B stops, the rod F is at once returned to position by means of its spring G, and the arm R returns to its position by the pressure of the spring '1, which is applied to the shaftfor this purpose.

The shaft S is journaled in suitable bearings upon the division-plate H, and has projecting from its outer side the bent arm or lever U, which, when it is depressed, descends upon the top of the punch in the punch and die frame, which has been moved into position for the purpose of operating upon the check, draft, or paper. Projecting inwardly from this shaft S is an arm or lever, V, which passes ;I

through a slot which is madein the upper end of the vertically-moving rod W. The lower end of this rod W is connected to an arm or crank on a horizontal shaft, X, which extends through the front plate of the frame, and has connected to its outer end a pawl or dog, Y, which operates the ratchet-wheel Z, which is secured to the same shaft A, to which the feedwhecls B are rigidly secu red. Each time the arm R of the shalt S is moved by the upward pressure of the rod F the lever U is made to descend upon the punch in one of the frames,

and then as the shaft S returns to position thepunched. A slot is made in the'upper end of the rod for the purposeof allowing the arm V a suitable downward motion beforeit begins to act upon the rod \V, thus allowing the lever U to rise upward out ofcontact with the punchframe enough to allow the punch to leave the paper before the feeding mechanism begins to act upon the paper to carry'it forward. Ifa slot were not used, the feeding mechanism would begin to act on the paper before the punch was withdrawn, and thus the check would be liable to be torn orinjuredin its forward movement. While the check or draft is resting upon the table D, through the top of which the two feed-wheels B slightly project, it is held down on the feedwheels by means of the plate E, which has friction-wheels pivoted therein over the feed-wheels B, and has suitable arms, F,

project downward upon its inner side, and which arms are connected together by means of a horizontal rod, G, bearing against which is a spring, X as shown in Fig. 8. Passing through the'frame'just beyond the endof the table I) is asmall lever.1-I, by means of which, when the outer end ofHis depressed,the arms F are forced backward toward the front of the frame, and the plate E is thus raised upward from the table. Connected with this plate E are the friction-rollers I,which act in connection with the fecd'wheels B, and thus form a double feed for the purpose of forcing the pa.- per straight forward. By this construction feed or friction wheels are applied upon both sides of the paper, and an even pressure is obtained for moving it forward.

movement by suitable radial slots, which are formed in the lower division-plate, P, for the purpose of guiding each frame 0 forward into its proper position when about to be used. Each frame carries a springseated punch, l which will have a letter, figure, or other charl acter formed upon its lower end, to corre spond to the one which is formed upon the lever B, which operates this frame. Each punch is operated by means of a spring, J, for the purpose of throwing the punch upward i as soon as the pressure of the lever U is re- 1 leased therefrom.

In case any wear should occur upon the pin or stud N or the sides of the slot J, this sliding punch and die frameO would not be moved forward into the exact position it must occupy to operate properly, and for this reason there is connected to each one ofthe levers M aspiral spring, L, which is connected at its upper end to a post or support, L, upon which the lever M is pivoted; and connected at its lower end to a stud or projection,N', on the side ofthe lever M, so that after the lever M, in its movement, has passed its center the upward pressure of the spring L will continue the forward movement of the lower end of the lever, so as to force the punch and die frame forward into its proper place, even though the parts should have become so worn that they would not have forced which are pivoted upon the frame A,and which Each punch and die frame is guided in its paper and feed the paper forward into post the frames forward into their proper posit-ion. This spring L serves to compensate for all wear upon the arm I of the rod F, and of the pin N on the lever M. It will be seen that it is only necessary to press downward upon any one of the levers B, when its corresponding punch and die frame will at once he moved forward into position, and the punch operated by the same motion, thus requiring but a single movement to punch any one figure in the tion for the next punch. All that the operator has to do is to bear down upon the short lever H, for the purpose of raising the plate E, to allow the paper to be placed in position upon the table D, and then operate the different levers B to punch the desired marks or figures t-hrorghthe paper.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination of pivoted operatinglevers, the verticallynioving rods connected to'the inner ends of the levers, springs for re tracting the rods, slotted arms or projections secured to the rods, the pivoted levers,whieh are operated by the rods, and the sliding punch and die frames, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the operating-levers,

the vertically-moving rods, the springs for retracting the rods, the arms or projections secured to the rods and provided with angular slots, the crank-levers, which are provided with pins to pass through the slots in the arms or projections, and the sliding punch and die frames, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the operating levers, the vertically-moving rods, the springs for re tracting the rods, the angularly-slotted arms or projections secured to the rods, the angular levers, the springs connected to the angular levers, and the sliding punch and die frames, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the sliding punch and die frames, the operating-levers, the vertically-moving rods, the springs for retracting the rods, the slotted arms or extensions which are secured to the rods, the levers for moving the punch and die frames, the partially-revolving shalt, which is provided with an arm or lever for operating the punch, and the arms which project from the rods and operate said shaft, substantially as specified.

5. The combination of the partially-revolving shaft S and an arm or lever,V, the slotted rod 7, the shaft X, the dog attached to the shaft, and the ratchet and feed wheels, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J. M. HOPKINS.

\Vitnesses:

F. A. LEHMANN, JNo. E. PRosPERi. 

